Recent Western Cape Business News

DESPITE the serious downturn in the economy, Stellval Crane Hire has taken delivery of a further special Sidelifter for 6 and 12 metre containers capable of handling up to 36 tons. This brings to a total of five units that Stellval has purchased in order to meet customer demand.

The new machine represents a revolutionary concept in the handling and delivery of containers as it is able to raise or lower full or empty units from/to the ground without the need for loading docks or trailer hire. This much more convenient handling method has proved very popular with Stellval’s customers.

Whilst the Sidelifter is based on simple concepts incorporating the need for durability and flexibility, it was developed as a result of a real appreciation of users’ requirements. It consists of a semi-trailer and a pair of folding cranes, which are sufficient for most container handling needs.

Commented Stellval’s Jose Monteiro, “The advantages of using this new method of handling are numerous. Delivery turn-around time is quicker as customers can receive their goods on the ground and there is no waiting for containers to be either packed or unpacked. This saves appreciably on transport and labour costs, downtime and breakages, which are the main problems in container handling”.

A container can be offloaded within 20 minutes thus allowing for vehicles to move up to forty containers in one day.

This speed of turnaround also helps reduce warehousing costs and even negate stack date penalties, which may be incurred should containers take longer than the three days permitted to be either loaded onto ships or removed from the portside.

Should space be a problem, Stellval’s fleet of mobile cranes will help lift the containers into a clear area for collection.

Further advantages of the Sidelifter include its ability to double stack fully loaded containers, even where space is limited, and to load and unload from other trailers or rail wagons.